Overview
Walk the entire Camino Portugues Central Way in two weeks, staying in a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels and traditional guesthouses, with luggage transfers. Starting in Porto, you then head inland following the camino through eucalyptus and pine-filled woodlands to tranquil rural villages, market towns such as Barcelos and medieval spots like Ponte de Lima. Cross the natural border of the Miño River into Galicia in Spain, the hilltop cathedral town of Tui welcoming you into the next stage of your camino, where your path joins with the Coastal Way at Arcade. Then onwards to Santiago.
- Porto
- Valença
- Ponte de Lima
- São Bento da Porta Aberta
- Santiago de Compostela
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Porto
After arriving in Porto, set aside some time to explore this stunning UNESCO city., which lives up to all expectations. Visit the church of Igreja de São Francisco, classified as a National Monument since 1910 and the Roman-Gothic Catedral do Porto or head to a restaurant and sample some of the region’s famous wines and seafood.
- Accommodation: Hotel Moov Porto Centro, Hotel Porto Trindade or similar in Porto
Day 2: Mosteiró – Arcos | 17km
The morning begins with a short transfer to Mosteiró to begin the first walking stage of the Camino Portugues Central Way as the scenery gradually begins to transition from urban to rural. The route heads through Vilarinho before crossing Ponte Dom Zameiro, a medieval stone bridge over the Ave River to arrive into the village of Arcos.
- Walking for the day: 17km, 4h
- Accommodation: Quinta de Sao Miguel or similar in Arcos
Day 3: Arcos – Barcelos | 20km
Leaving Arcos behind, this morning’s route heads towards the ancient village of Rates and its Romanesque church of Igreja de São Pedro de Rates. From here, the route heads through Courel and Pedra Furada before following winding rural roads lined with eucalyptus and pine woods to reach the market town of Barcelos. If time allows, spend the rest of the afternoon visiting the Barcelos Ceramics Museum or the Barcelos Handicraft Centre to learn about the Minho arts and crafts that the area is known for.
- Walking for the day: 20km, 4-5h
- Accommodation: Hotel Bagoeira or similar in Barcelos
Day 4: Barcelos – Balugães | 15km
Begin the morning following minor roads through a rural area, passing through the small villages of Vila Boa, Tamel and Aborim towards the River Neiva. The day comes to a close in Balugães, where you can spend the afternoon exploring the area or visit the churches of Santuário Nossa Senhora da Aparecida and Capela da Aparição.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 4h
- Accommodation: Quinta da Cancela or similar in Balugães
Day 5: Balugães – Ponte de Lima | 18km
Today’s route follows rural roads through the countryside until you enter the medieval town of Ponte de Lima. We recommend beginning the walk early to allow ample time to explore the town’s historical centre and gardens. Choose from a range of restaurants in Ponte de Lima and try traditional dishes such as polvo à lagareiro (baked octopus) or bacalhau assado com broa (baked cod with cornbread) paired with local Loureiro white wine.
- Walking for the day: 18km, 4h
- Accommodation: Mercearia da Vila or similar in Ponte de Lima
Day 6: Ponte de Lima – Cossourado | 22km
Today’s stage is the most demanding of the tour, with a 2km uphill section towards Serra da Labruja, but the views are well worth the effort. A gradual descent leads from the top of the hill into the Coura Valley and to this evening’s accommodation in Cossourado.
- Walking for the day: 22km, 5-6h
- Accommodation: Casa da Capela or similar in Cossourado
Day 7: Cossourado – Valença | 14km
Begin the gradual ascent out of Coura Valley towards the church of São Bento da Porta Aberta, which dates back to 1614 and is one of the largest Portuguese sanctuaries. From here, the route continues towards Fontoura before reaching the fortress town of Valença on the Portugese-Spanish border. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Valença or cross the Miño River into the neighbouring Spanish town of Tui. Steeped in history, both towns have plenty of sights to visit as well as many restaurants to choose from for tonight’s dinner.
- Walking for the day: 14km, 4-5h
- Accommodation: Hotel Lara or similar in Valença
Day 8: Valença – O Porriño | 20km
Leaving Portugal behind, cross the border into Spain via a metal bridge over the Miño River into Tui, where we recommend visiting Catedral Tui, dating back to the 12th century. From here, the route follows a forest track through the Louro Valley before crossing a stone slab bridge into a wetland area rich with birdlife. The day ends in O Porriño, where you can spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the town and visiting the church of Iglesia de Santa María de la Concepción.
- Walking for the day: 20km, 4-5h
- Accommodation: Hostal Expo or similar in Porriño
Day 9: O Porriño – Arcade | 22km
Begin the morning heading through Chan das Pipas Forest, followed by a short, steep climb up the Road of the Knights, which offers views across the coast. From here, the route heads to Redondela, where the Central Way and the Coastal Way of the camino merge, before continuing towards this evening’s accommodation in the coastal town of Arcade, renowned for its oysters and other fine seafood.
- Walking for the day: 22km, 5-6h
- Accommodation: Hotel Duarte or similar in Arcade
Day 10: Arcade – Pontevedra | 13km
This stage is one of the shortest yet most scenic stages of the camino, climbing the ancient stone paths of the Verea Vella da Canicouva and passing the 13th-century Church of Santa Maria. Once in Pontevedra, spend some time wandering around the city’s historic centre or visit Museo Provincial de Pontevedra, a museum housed in the former palace of Edificio Castelao, displaying a collection of paintings, sculptures and other artifacts from the province of Pontevedra.
- Walking for the day: 13km, 3-4h
- Accommodation: Hotel Avenida or similar in Pontevedra
Day 11: Pontevedra – Caldas de Reis | 22km
Set off from Pontevedra through countryside and rural landscapes towards Caldas de Reis. This stage of the tour is fairly long but not demanding and offers the opportunity to rest your tired feet in Caldas de Reis’ thermal springs.
- Walking for the day: 22km, 5-6h
- Accommodation: Balneario Acuna or similar in Calas de Reis
Day 12: Caldas de Reis – Padrón | 19km
Today’s route begins with a gentle climb through the woodlands around Valga, passing multiple churches and stone crosses along the way. The day ends in Padrón, the Roman city where Saint James’ remains were brought from Jerusalem.
- Walking for the day: 19km, 4-5h
- Accommodation: Casa Antiga do Monte or similar in Padrón
Day 13: Padrón – Santiago de Compostela | 25km
The final stage of the tour follows rural paths through oak, pine and eucalyptus woodland before entering the ancient city of Santiago de Compostela. Enter Plaza del Obradoiro before bringing your day and pilgrimage to a close at Catedral de Santiago de Compostela and collecting your Compostela Certificate.
- Walking for the day: 25km, 5-6h
- Accommodation: Hotel Lux Santiago or similar in Santiago de Compostela
Day 14: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Important: We aim to book you into each town listed on the itinerary, however, in case of low availability, we may book two nights in the same town and provide transfers. On some occasions, your accommodation can be located a few kilometres away from the trail, in these instances, we will organise transportation to and from your accommodation.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Moov Porto Centro
- Quinta de Sao Miguel
- Hotel Bagoeira
- Quinta da Cancela
- Mercearia da Vila
- Casa da Capela
- Hotel Lara
- Hostal Expo
- Hotel Duarte
- Hotel Avenida
- Balneario Acuna
- Casa Antiga do Monte
- Hotel Lux Santiago
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Dinner is available either at the accommodation or from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated moderate and includes daily walks of 12-22km on mostly flat terrain. The route follows a mixture of dirt roads, woodland paths, minor roads and some busier roads close to the bigger towns and cities. The routes are well waymarked in general, but take care at intersections where there may be a choice of several different alternative routes (read more about difficulty grades).
When to go
This trip is available from March-October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means there are no fixed dates, meaning you can start your trip on any date during the season. For more information, see our blog on the Best time to go to Portugal, Best time to go to Spain and Best time to walk the Camino de Santiago.
Getting there
FCO up-to-date travel advice about Portugal and Spain
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival airport for this tour is Porto. The best departure airport is Santiago de Compostela.
By train or bus
If you are able to travel to Spain and Portugal without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with railway stations in Porto and Santiago de Compostela. For more details, see the national rail operators Comboios de Portugal and Renfe or use the Omio planner above.
From Porto Airport, you can use the metro, bus, shuttle or taxi to reach Porto’s centre. You can check the various options here. From Santiago de Compostela, there are regular shuttle buses to Santiago Airport. For timetables and further information, visit the national rail operators Comboios de Portugal and Renfe or use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 13 nights in hotels in private en-suite rooms
- 13 breakfasts
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel on all walking days (one piece up to 15kg per person)
- Detailed journey documentation and practical information
- GPX tracks available upon request
- Short car transfer on day two to the start of the walk
- Pilgrim Kit: Pilgrim’s Passport and Vieira (shell)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Local tourist tax and entrance fees (payable locally)
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Airport transfers
- Arrival meeting with a member of our team
- Extra nights
Compostela/Pilgrim’s Passport
To receive the Compostela Certificate, you will need to ensure your Pilgrim’s Passport is stamped in each town you visit, with stamps available from churches, restaurants or hotels along the way.
Important: Due to the large influx of pilgrims during summer, the Pilgrim Office in Santiago has installed a numbered ticket system for issuing pilgrim certificates (the Compostela). This new system allows pilgrims to collect a ticket and check the status of the queue and estimated waiting time to obtain the Compostela. The number of tickets per day is limited, so on days with high numbers of pilgrims arriving, there is a possibility that not all pilgrims will be able to collect their certificate on the day of arrival and will, instead, need to collect it the following morning. Therefore, if obtaining the Compostela is important to you, we recommend arranging return travel in such a way that allows you to be in Santiago de Compostela the morning after your arrival.
